Cooling radiator

ABSTRACT

An improved radiator for use in the cooling system of a vehicle including a plurality of cooling conduits interconnecting an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold. The tubes are horizontally disposed creating efficient cooling of the fluid passing through the radiator by inducing uniform cross flow between the manifolds and the tubes. The manifolds may be constructed of a suitable durable and flexible material such as rubber and are advantageously molded in a one-piece construction.

United States Patent Bouras 1 Aug. 7, 1973 [5 COOLING RADIATOR 2,047,7577/1936 Welch 165/178 x [76] Inventor: Sam Bouras, 13057 S. Carondolet,

Chicago, 111. 60633 Primary Examiner-Albert W. Davis, Jr. [22] F my May3 1972 Attorney-Edward D. Gilhooly [21] Appl. N0.: 257,935 [57] ABSTRACTAn improved radiator for use in the cooling system of [52] Cl 165/76165/148 z z a vehicle including a plurality of cooling conduits inter-[511 Int Cl F28 9/12 connecting an inlet manifold and an outletmanifold. Field 175 173 The tubes are horizontally disposed creatingefficient l 65/l48 cooling of the fluid passing through the radiator byinducing uniform cross flow between the manifolds and 5 6] ReferencesCited I the tubes. The manifolds may be constructed of a suitabledurable and flexible material such as rubber and UNITED STATES PATENTSare advantageously molded in a one-piece construc- 1,797,524 3/1931Dwyer 165/178 X (ion, 1,361,807 12/1920 Bares 165/76 2,240,537 5/1941Young 165/178 X 3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 2 /0 gig!EHEQQEHEQEEQQQEZHD1 E I I lgggiue g g sugg! 1 22 l (1 :I I g giu eeeeeeu eg ggggegg l lHllll lllllll'l #H E \"HH IW 11:1

1 '4 IlI!I!!!!!!!IIII! 1 I! l I I I I I "E I: "":T-?'P?"T TZZE=F a 7|l|||| lllilllll III II 1 1 1 1 1 1 IlI ==ifi% T-%===i EEEEEEEE 1 gl-J al l 2' g I g Y +i FiiiII a I l o 1 1 I 1 1 1 I I l l l I I I I 5 El 1iifiiii i1 5 COOLING RADIATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This inventionrelates in general to cooling systems and in particular to an improvedradiator for use in the cooling system of a vehicle.

More specifically, the invention relates to a radiator having aplurality of thin cooling tubes or conduits which interconnect an inletand outlet manifold in a manner that any selected conduit may be readilyinserted or removed from the radiator as required. In one embodiment ofthe invention, the tubes lie with their longitudinal axes extending in ahorizontal orientation wherein improved cooling effects have been foundto be achieved due to the uniform cross flow of the coolant. Theradiator of the invention provides an inexpensive and easily serviceddevice which may include a pair of molded one-piece manifolds.

As is well known, a radiator is utilized in a vehicle to reduce the heatof the. coolant fluid in the circulating system of the engine.Generally, air flow created by a fan or movement of a vehicle passesthrough the radiator to reduce the heat of the coolant flowingtherethrough. The radiators most frequently utilized in the vehicles atpresent comprise a structure having a single continuous tube which actsas a cooling conduit. The cooling tube within these conventionalradiators generally is a convolution or the like of a single length oftube which when leaking or damaged can cause loss of all the fluid inthe cooling system. It is extremely troublesome to repair a conventionalradiator since the entire device generally must be removed from thevehicle for service. The necessity of removal increases the difficultyand cost of repairing the radiator and does not permit a vehicle to beconveniently fixed at a roadside breakdown location.

Attempts have been made in the prior art to construct radiators with aplurality of tubes interconnecting a pair of inlet and outlet chambers.The designs of such prior art radiators have been deficient sinceefficient cooling has often not been achieved and the construction ofthese devices are expensive to manufacture due to their design. Inaddition, the cooling tubes of the radiators are vertically oriented andit has been found that an efficient flow of coolant in all cooling tubesis not achieved. Moreover, the prior art devices utilizing a pluralityof tubes are not efficiently repaired because, as is the case withconventionally used vehicle radiators, it is necessary to remove theradiators from the vehicle to remove a damaged or leaking tube. Anotherproblem presented by the prior art devices is that the interconnectionbetween the cooling tubes and the chambers interconnected by the tubeshave been subject to leaking, problems due to vibration and poor designof the coupling of the elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of the invention toimprove radiators for use in a cooling system of power plants or engine.

Another object of this invention is to improve the thermal control ofthe coolant of a power plant or engine through the use of a plurality oftubes interconnecting a pair of manifolds.

A further object of this invention is to facilitate the removal orinsertion of a respective tube to the radiator.

Still another object of this invention is to reduce the complexity ofand cost of manufacturing a radiator.

A stillfurther object of this invention is to increase the efficiency ofcooling of a radiator.

These and other objects are attained in accordance with the presentinvention wherein there is provided an improved radiator for use in thecooling system of engines used in vehicles and the like. A plurality ofthin cooling tubes or conduits interconnect an inlet manifold and anoutlet manifold which may be of a onepiece molded construction formedfrom rubber or other suitable durable and resilient substance. The useof a material such as rubber is advantageous since it offers aninexpensive material which resiliently supports the ends of theplurality of cooling tubes and is resistant to corrosion.

The radiator of the invention also employs the use of horizontallydisposed cooling tubes or conduits which have been found to increase theefficiency of heat transfer due to the uniform cross-flow of coolant.The novel design of the radiator herein disclosed also permits radiatorsto inexpensively be manufactured or modified for a variety of differentcooling capabilities depending on encountered operationalcharacteristics of the engine in which the radiators are intended to beinstalled and other conditions. Simple modifications of the radiator,such as varying the number and size of the cooling tubes and size of themanifold provide an unlimited range of operational capabilities.

Another advantage of the radiator of the invention is derived from thefact that the plurality of tubes are readily removed from or insertedinto coupling with the manifolds thereby permitting rapid and efficientrepair of a damaged tube. For example, when a radiator fails or isdamaged at a roadside location, it is possible to remove the leakingtube and plug the ports to the manifold whereby the vehicle may bedriven to a place where service can be rendered. Alternatively, adamaged tube can be serviced readily :at the roadside location byremoval of the tube and replacing it with an operative tube. Therefore,the radiator of the invention provides an inexpensive and efficientradiator which significantly improves the devices of the prior art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further objects of the invention, togetherwith additional features contributing thereto and advantages accruingtherefrom, will be apparent from-the following description of severalembodiments of the invention when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

, FIG. 1 is a front schematic illustration of one embodiment of theradiator of the vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a front schematic illustration with parts broken away of amanifold of the radiator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top schematic illustration of the radiator of FIG. 1; I

FIG. 4 is an exploded partial schematic illustration of anotherembodiment of the radiator of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded partial schematic illustration of still anotherembodiment of the radiator of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, and.3, there is illustrated an embodiment of the improved radiator of theinvention for use in a cooling system of power plants or engines ofvehicles and the like. The radiator is adapted to be interconnected inthe cooling system of a power plant or engine in a manner that airpassing through the radiator reduces the heat of the circulating coolantfluid utilized to cool the engine. The flow of coolant from the coolingsystem entering the radiator is directed into an inlet manifold 1 formedas a hollow elongated tubular member which is constructed of a suitableresilient and corrosive-resistant material such as rubber. It is withinthe scope of the invention to utilize a variety of other materials toconstruct the inlet manifold such as metal, plastic and the like and themanifold may be constructed in other configurations other than a tubularshape herein disclosed for purposes of illustration. Inlet manifold 1creates an inlet chamber 2 which receives the fluid being circulated inthe cooling system and directs the fluid to a plurality of ports formedby egress or outlet projections 3 which lie in spaced relationship alongthe longitudinal length of inlet manifold 1.

It has been found that the inlet manifold advantageously is constructeda one-piece body to enable the element to be inexpensively manufacturedby suitable techniques such as molding and the like. Also, the use ofrubber is desirable in the invention herein disclosed since rubberprovides a non-corrosive body which readily absorbs shocks or jarringeffects produced by the movement of the vehicle upon which the radiatoris utilized to prevent leakage at connection points. The bottom of theradiator of inlet manifold l is constructed with a removable plug orstop cock 4 which can be used to drain fluid from the radiator asdesired.

An outlet manifold 6 is positioned on the opposite side of the radiatorfrom inlet manifold l and is generally of an identical construction asinlet manifold 1. Outlet manifold 6 includes an outlet manifold chamber7 which receives the fluid circulating in the system from a plurality ofspaced inlet ports created by inlet projections 8 which lie in spacedrelationship along the longitudinal axis of the outlet manifold insubstantial corresponding horizontal alignment with outlet projections 3of inlet manifold l.

The outlet ports 3 of inlet manifold l and inlet ports 8 of outletmanifold 7 are interconnected by a series of cooling tubes 10 throughwhich the coolant fluid passes therebetween. Cooling tubes 10 includes aplurality of thin elements 10' integrally connected to the exteriorthereof to aid in the cooling of the fluid passing through each of thetubes. The tubes generally are constructed from a suitableheat-dissipating material such as aluminum, copper, and the like.Cooling of the fluid passing through the plurality of tubes is producedby air flow being created by either the fan of the vehicle or themovement of the vehicle being directed adjacent the exterior of thetubes.

Cooling tubes 10 are coupled in fluid-tight relationship to the inletand outlet manifolds by being inserted at their ends into the outletprojections 3 of the inlet manifold and the inlet projections 8 of theoutlet manifold, respectively. The tube and projections of the manifoldare maintained in a secure and fluid-tight relationship by couplingmeans ll including a conventional clamp member 12 which embraces theexterior of the projections of the manifold to effect the requiredfrictional contact between the manifolds and the cooling tubes. If anyof the cooling tubes 10 are subjected to damage or leakage, theutilization of coupling 11 permits easy removal of a damaged tube sincethe clamp and tube may be readily removed from the manifold. The easyremoval of tube allows repair of the radiator without its removal fromthe vehicle.

The horizontal orientation of the cooling tubes has been found togreatly increase the cooling characteristics of the radiator since thecross flow created by the horizontally disposed tubes 10 effect uniformand efficient cooling. The increased cooling is produced because theinlet manifold is substantially filled with fluid during operation anddirects uniform and positive flow to each of the respective tubes.

Fluid is introduced into the inlet manifold 1 through a coolant inletport 20 which is in the form of a projected element located adjacent thetop of the element. Inlet port 20 generally is in fluid communicationwith a fluid pump (not shown) which circulates the necessary flow ofcoolant through the cooling system of the vehicle. Inlet port 20 may becoupled to a hose or line of the cooling system in any conventionalmanner. Similarly, outlet manifold 6 is provided adjacent its bottomportion an outlet port 21 which directs the fluid from the radiator tothe engine which heat level is being controlled.

The radiator assembly is mounted to the vehicle by means of bracketmembers 22 which receive retaining means such as bolts and the like. Asstated previously, although it is desirable to utilize rubber one-piecemanifolds, it is also within the scope of the invention to utilize othermaterials such as aluminum, metal, steel, tin, plastic and the like.When using other types of more rigid material other than rubber and thelike for the manifold, it is sometimes desirable to utilize differentcoupling techniques for connecting cooling tubes 10 to the manifolds.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated another embodiment of analternative coupling means 30 for attaching the cooling tubes. Couplingmeans 30 includes a sleeve member 31 constructed of rubber or othersuitable material which is slipped over the exterior of the end portionsof the outlet projections 3 and the end of the cooling tubes 10 whereina pair of clamps 32 secure the sleeve to each of the members. It

should be apparent that the other end of cooling tube 10 is similarlyattached to the inlet projection 8 of manifold 6.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is illustrated still another embodimentof the radiator in which a different coupling means 40 is utilized toconnect the manifold to the cooling tube. The exterior end portion ofcooling tubes 10' and outlet projection 3' are formed witha series ofserrated elements 41 and 42 respectively which retain in fluid-tightrelationship a sleeve 43 which is'positioned on the end of both membersfor secure cou-- pling of the elements. The cooling tubes are similarlyattached to outlet manifold 6.

In the above description, there has been disclosed an improved radiatorfor cooling the fluid circulating in the cooling system of an engine.Although the cooling tubes have been disclosed as being oriented in ahorizontal direction for advantageous cooling, it is within the scope ofthe invention orient the tubes in other directions such as vertical, ifdesired. Moreover, the tubes may be interconnected with the inlet andoutlet manifold by other conventional techniques if advantageous.

While the invention has been described with reference to preferredembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that this inventionnot be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best modecontemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the inventionwill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:

l. A radiator comprising an molded inlet manifold for receiving fluidbeing circulated in a cooling system,

said inlet manifold including a plurality of hollow projections formingoutlet ports a plurality of cooling tubes removably coupled at one endto the hollow projections to receive fluid being circulated and reducethe temperature thereof,

an outlet manifold for receiving; fluid from the cooling tubes,

said outlet manifold including a plurality of hollow projections forminginlet ports to the manifold and being coupled to the other end of thecooling tubes,

said inlet manifold and outlet. manifold are constructed from aone-piece resilient material,

clamp means for retaining the ends of the cooling tubes partially withinthe respective hollow projections of the inlet manifold and the outletmanifold, and

said clamp means being positioned in surrounding relationship to each ofthe hollow projections to effect frictional contact between a respectivetube and the interior of a respective projection.

2. The radiator of claim 1 wherein the cooling tubes are horizontallydisposed.

3. The radiator of claim 2 wherein the clamp means is constructed ofrubber.

1. A radiator comprising an molded inlet manifold for receiving fluidbeing circulated in a cooling system, said inlet manifold including aplurality of hollow projections forming outlet ports a plurality ofcooling tubes removably coupled at one end to the hollow projections toreceive fluid being circulated and reduce the temperature thereof, anoutlet manifold for receiving fluid from the cooling tubes, said outletmanifold including a plurality of hollow projections forming inlet portsto the manifold and being coupled to the other end of the cooling tubes,said inlet manifold and outlet manifold are constructed from a one-pieceresilient material, clamp means for retaining the ends of the coolingtubes partially within the respective hollow projections of the iNletmanifold and the outlet manifold, and said clamp means being positionedin surrounding relationship to each of the hollow projections to effectfrictional contact between a respective tube and the interior of arespective projection.
 2. The radiator of claim 1 wherein the coolingtubes are horizontally disposed.
 3. The radiator of claim 2 wherein theclamp means is constructed of rubber.